Down with the kids

The last time I saw a bit of children's TV, it looked fairly crap. What happened to engaging, well-written programs like My Parents Are Aliens or The Demon Headmaster? And the music? Carrie and David's Popshop doesn't quite cut it. Sesame Street has always included musical skits and guest stars, and more recently Yo! Gabba Gabba has joined in. These shows are both American, and I don't even know whether they're shown in the UK. Are these bands doing it for the kids or the parents? Both, hopefully. Here's a few of my favourites...


Feist re-works 1-2-3-4 to include 'chickens come back from the shore'.


REM play down the fact that Shiny Happy People is about Prozac by re-writing it as 'Furry Happy Monsters'. Mike Mills looks like he's about to explode with glee. And that Muppet looks a lot like Kate Pierson. Maybe she's the REAL Kate Pierson.


This is obviously the best thing James Blunt has ever done.


The Shins forcing grins on Yo! Gabba Gabba. And what is the orange circle covering on the drummer's hat?


The Shiny Toy Guns on Yo! Gabba Gabba. But it's a children's show, so they're named 'The Shinies'.

There's more out there on YouTube, including Chris Brown, Norah Jones, Destiny's Child and Alicia Keys. But they all involve Elmo, and I can't stand that furry simpleton. Children deserve good TV that makes them excited about the world. And who, in 10 or 15 years time, would want to reminisce about the cheap, humourless cartoons filling up children's TV? Give them more of the above. Cut Copy dressed as pirates, playing all of 'In Ghost Colours' live. That sort of thing.